Mobile drilling machine



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United States Patent MOBILE DRILLENG MACHINE Charles F. Ball, Franklin, Pa., assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania 12 Claims. (Cl. 255-51) This invention relates to drilling machines and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a mobile drilling machine especially designed for use in underground mines or tunnels for drilling holes in the ribs or sidewalls for receiving rib pinnings for supporting cross timbers or beams up against the mine or tunnel roof.

In underground mines or tunnels, it isthe usual practice to set horizontal cross timbers or beams against the roof as the work advances to support the roof. against falls or cave-ins, and the cross timbers or beams are frequently held in position by rib pinnings. The holes which receive the rib pinnings are drilled in the ribs or sidewalls near the roof by a drilling apparatus and the cross timber or beam is then usually lifted into place against the roof and held there as the rib pins are driven into the-holes to secure the cross timber in place. The present invention contemplates improvements over known types of drilling machines in that the drilling tool is adiustably supported in a novel manner whereby pin holes may be quickly and eficiently drilled at the desired location. In accordance with the present invention, die drilling tool is mounted on an elevator boom and is adjustable relative to the boom so that the pin holes may be drilled in the desired location in the ribs or sidewalls. Im-

proved adjustable platforms are provided at the sides which secure the cross timbers or beams in roof supporting position. Another object is to provide an improved mobile drilling machine embodying a swingable elevator boom and a novel adjustable mounting for the drilling tool whereby the latter may be quickly adjusted into the desired drilling position. A still further object is to provide an improved drilling machine having improved adjustable platforms mounted at the sides of the machine base in a novel manner and on which the workmen may stand during the hole drilling and pin setting operations. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more 'fully appear.

This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 61,177, filed November 20, 1948, now matured into Patent No. 2,649,979, dated August 25, 1953.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of a drilling machine constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

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Fig, 2 is a side elevational view of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig, 3 is an enlarged view in longitudinal vertical section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view, with parts in full, taken on line 66 of Fig. 3, and showing the drill mounting.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view, with parts in full, taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the drilling machine in an operating position in a mine or tunnel.

Figs. 9 and 10 are side views showing the elevator boom respectively in raised retracted position and lowered retracted position on the turntable.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the elevator boom in advanced position on the turntable.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention, as shown in the drawings, the improved drilling machine is generally designated 1 and generally comprises a mobile base 2 having a frame 3 mounted at its forward end on a crawler tread device 4 and at its rear end on rubbertired wheels 5. Supported at the front end of the base frame above the crawler device 4 is a turntable 6 carrying a horizontal sliding support 7 on which a pivoted elevator boom or boom frame 8 is mounted to swing in vertical planes with respect to the sliding support and turntable. The drilling machine is also a timber setting machine as disclosed in the above mentioned copending application and the elevator boom 3 is a timber elevating boom and carries a timber receiving and supporting saddle S. Pivotally mounted at the sides of the base frame are adjustable platforms 9 on which the workmen may conveniently stand during the drilling and pin setting operations, and carried beneath the elevator boom is a drilling apparatus 1!) for drilling the holes in the ribs or sidewalls for receiving the rib-pins. Stabilizer jacks 11 mounted on the base frame are engageable with the floor rearwardly of the crawler tread device 4 for steadying the machine during the drilling operation. An electric motor 12 drives a pump 13 for supplying liquid under pressure to the various hydraulically operated devices of the machine. The treads of the crawler device 4 are driven by electric motors and are separately driven and controlled and the rear wheels 5 are swivelled whereby the machine may be propelled and steered. A conventional electric cable reel 14 is arranged at the rear end of the base frame and serves to conduct electric power to the motor 12 and the motors which drive the crawler treads, all in the manner fully disclosed in my copending application above referred to.

Now referring to the mounting for the turntable 6, it will be noted that the annular turntable frame 15 (Fig. 3) is rotatably mounted on a bearing ring 15 suitably secured to the base frame. A retaining ring 17 is secured, as by screws, to the turntable frame to hold the latter .on position on its bearing mounting on the bearing ring. The means for turning the turntable comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders 18 arranged in parallelism lengthwise of the base frame, as shown in Fig. l, and suitably secured to longitudinally extending side frame members of the base frame, and these cylinders contain pistons which are operatively connected to a cable 19 which passes around a peripheral guiding groove on the retaining ring and is secured, as by a clamp 20, midway between its ends, to the retaining ring. When liquid under pressure is suitably supplied to the cylinders 18 one portion of the cable may be tightened while the other cable portion is concurrently payed out to turn the turntable in the desired direction. Liquid trapped in the cylinders 18 serves to lock the cable against movement thereby to hold the turntable in its adjusted position.

The turntable frame is provided with parallel horizontal guideways 21in which guides integral with the sliding support 7 are slidably guided. Hydraulic cylinders .22 are arranged at the opposite sides of the turntable in parallelism with the guideways and these cylinders are operatively connected to the sliding support. When liquid under pressure is suitably supplied to these cylinders the sliding support may be moved horizontally back and forth along its guideways relative to the turntable. This turntable structure is likewise fully disclosed in the above mentioned copending application.

The elevator boom or pivoted boom frame 8 is pivotally mounted at 23 on the sliding support 7 to swing in vertical planes with respect thereto, and this boom frame is elongated and extends outwardly beyond the forward end of the base and carries the drilling apparatus at about its pivot to elevate the drilling apparatus 10, and when liquid is vented from the cylinder, the boom frame may swing downwardly by gravity at a controlled rate. Trapping of liquid in the cylinder locks the boom frame in adjusted position.

Now referring to the specific structure of the drilling apparatus. 10, it will be noted that swivelled at 27 on the bottom of the pivoted boom frame 8 to swing laterally relative to the latter, in planes at right angles to the planes of swing of the boom frame, is an elongated tubular guide support 28. The swivel for the tubular support includes an upper circular plate 29 (Fig. 7)

secured to the boom frame 8 and a cooperating circular lower plate 30 secured to the tubular support 28, and the adjacent faces of these plates are serrated so that when the plates are clamped together by a central clamping bolt 31 the parts are firmly locked in position. Slidably and rotatably guided in the tubular support 28 is an elongated tubular guide 32, and this guide may be clamped in adjusted position as by a conventional split clamp 33 having tightening screws 34 operated by handles 35. Secured to the outer end of the tubular guide 32 is a support 36 having a conical portion 37 which is received in a conical socket 38 formed on a swingable supporting arm 39. A screw 40 arranged centrally of the conical portion and socket serves, when tightened, to clamp the supporting arm 39 in its different angular positions of adjustment with respect to the guide support 36. The supporting arm 39 is secured, as by screws, to an elongated guide shell 41 which has longitudinal guideways 42 for slidingly receiving guides 43 on a drilling tool 44. This drilling tool may assume various forms, but is herein desirably of the pressure fluid actuated hammer type, and includes a hammer motor 45 having a piston for delivering impact blows to a drill steel 46 which carries a conventional drill bit 47. A reversible fluid actuated feeding motor 48, mounted at the rear end of the guide shell, serves, through a conventional feed screw and feed nut feeding mechanism (not shown), to feed the drilling tool back and forth along the shell guideways. From the foregoing, it will be evident that by loosening the bolt 31 the drilling tool may be swung laterally into different angular positions with respect to the boom frame, and may be bodily rotated about the longitudinal axis of theguide support 28. Also by loosening the screw 40, the drilling tool may be swung laterally relative to its guide support. Thus, a relatively wide range of tool adjustment is afforded, and, when the parts are in the desired adjusted position and are clamped therein, the drilling tool may be firmly supported in its drilling positions at either side of the elevator boom 8. When the tubular guide support '28. is in its position wherein it extends longitudinally of the boom frame, as shown in Fig. 3, a plate 50 secured to the rear end of the guide support engages a clamp 51 having a tightening bolt 52, and when the clamp-bolt is tightened, the plate 59 is firmly gripped to hold the guide support in position.

In this improved construction, the platforms 9 have supporting frames 55 formed with vertically spaced collars 56 which are slidably adjustably mounted on vertical posts 57, which are in turn vertically adjustable in bosses 58 integral with elongated horizontal arms 59. Set screws 60 threaded within the bosses 58 are releasable to permit lowering of the posts to bring their lower ends into supported engagement with the door surface, and these set screws, when tightened, firmly clamp the posts in adjusted position. The platforms may be adjusted vertically along the posts to vary their elevation, and set screws 61 threaded in the upper collars serve to clamp the platforms'firmly in adjusted position. Also by loosening the set screws 61 the platforms may be swung horizontally about the vertical axes of the posts in an obvious manner. The horizontal arms 59 extend along the opposite sides of the base and are pivotally mounted at 62 on sliding supports 63 to swing laterally in horizontal planes so that the platforms may be adjusted into difierent lateral positions with respect to the base of the machine. The sliding supports 63 are slidably guided on.

guideways 64 extending longitudinally along the sides of the'b ase frame for movement longitudinally relative to the base to enable adjustment of the platforms forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the base. The swinging arms 59 and the sliding supports 63, as the result of friction due to the weight of the structure, tend to remain in their positions of adjustment, but if desired suitable clamps such as set-screws (not shown) may be provided to secure them firmly in adjusted position.

The general mode of operation of the improved drilling machine is as follows: The machine may be propelled about the mine or tunnel by the endless treads of 'the front crawler device 4, and the crawler treads in cooperation with the rear steering wheels 5 may effect steering of the machine. When the drilling machine is suitably positioned with respect to the work the floor jacks 11 may be set in position in engagement with the floor and the elevator boom 8 may be swung upwardly and laterally with respect to the base into the desired position. When the machine is properly positioned the clamping bolts 31 and .40 and the clamp 33'may be loosened and the drilling tool may be adjusted longitudinally and swung angularly relative to the boom as desired. Also the sliding support 7 may be shifted rectilinearly relative to the turntable to adjust the elevator boom together with the drilling tool longitudinally relative to the machine base. During the drilling operation and the setting of the rib pins the platforms 9 may be moved longitudinally, swung laterally and raised and lowered into the desired positions witlrrespect to the machine base so that the workmen operating the drill and setting the rib pins may stand on the platforms in convenient positions.

When the drilling machine is located in the position shown in Fig. 8, the clamp 33 of the drilling apparatus may be released and the guide tube 32 may be slid axially outwardly with respect to the tubular guiding support 28 to locate the drilling tool 44 in advance of the elevator boom 8 near the right hand rib or sidewall as shown. The right hand platform 9 is at thattime located near the right hand rib or sidewall 'so that the drill operator may assume anadvantageous position during the drilling of the holes for the rib pins. When the grease? drilling of the right hand rib or sidewall is completed the elevator boom 8 may be swung toward the left to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 8, and the clamp 51 may be loosened so that the guide support 28 may be swung laterally about the swivel 27 with respect to the elevator boom in the position shown at the opposite side of the boom. The swivelled clamp 37, 38 may then be adjusted to lock the drilling tool 44, as shown at the left in Fig. 8, and pin holes may then be drilled in the left hand rib or sidewall. The left hand platform 9, during this latter drilling operation, is located laterally close to the left hand rib or sidewall, as shown in Fig. 8.

As a result of this invention an improved mobile drilling machine is provided especially designed for use in underground mines and tunnels for drilling the pin holes in the ribs or sidewalls. By the provision of the elevator boom embodied in the machine and the improved adjustable mounting for the .drilling tool, the latter may be adjusted to effect drilling in the ribs or sidewalls at any desired location. It will also be evident that by providing the adjustable platforms on the machine on which the workmen may stand during the drilling operation in the manner disclosed, the use of the machine is greatly facilitated. The machine is readily maneuverable and compact, is flexible in operation, and of a rugged design, well adapted for its intended purpose. These and other advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a drilling machine, a base, a boom frame pivotally mounted on said base to swing in vertical planes with respect thereto, a guide frame swivelly mounted at the outer portion of said boom frame, an extendable guide movable longitudinally along said guide frame, a drilling tool carried by said guide, and a releasable clamp on said boom frame and engageable with a rearwardly located element of said swivelled guide frame for locking the latter in a centrally located position extending lengthwise of said boom frame.

2. In combination, a boom mounted to swing in vertical and horizontal planes about horizontal and vertical pivotal axes, a swivel mounting carried at the outer portion of said boom, said mounting having a swivel axis disposed at right angles to a line parallel with said horizontal pivotal axis of said boom, an extensible supporting structure carried by said swivel mounting and adjustable about said swivel axis into different angular positions relative to said boom, said extensible supporting structure including an extendable support adjustable endwise in any angular position of said supporting structure relative to said boom and a clamp for securing said extendable support in adjusted position, said swivel axis of said swivel mounting disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axial line of said extensible supporting structure, an elongated guide frame carried by said extendable support at the outer portion thereof, and a hole drilling tool guided for rectilinear movement back and forth along said guide frame.

3. A combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein a swivel mounting is carried at the outer portion of said endwise extendable support whereby said guide frame may be adjusted into different angular positions with respect to said boom and said supporting structure, the swivel axis of the last mentioned swivel mounting being disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said extendable support.

4. A combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said iast mentioned swivel mounting includes a support swiveled about the last mentioned swivel axis, and said guide frame is rigidly secured to said swiveled support and swingable in unison therewith into different angular positions with respect to said boom and said supporting structure.

5. In a drilling machine, a support, an elevator boom pivotally mounted on said support to swing in vertical planes with respect thereto, a guide frame disposable longitudinally at one side of said boom and mounted thereon to swing therewith and to swing into different angular positions relative thereto, an elongated extendable guide cooperating with and movable endwise longitudinally along said guide frame to vary the position of its outer portion with respect to said boom, a releasable clamp for holding said extendable guide in adjusted position relative to said guide frame, an arm swivelly mounted on the outer portion of said extendable guide with its swivel axis disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of said extendable guide, an adjustable clamp for securing said arm in its different angular positions of adjustment about its swivel relative to said extendable guide, and a hole drilling tool carried by said arm.

6. A drilling machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said guide frame and said extendable guide are telescopically arranged and means is provided for swivelly mounting said guide frame to turn about an axis at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said boom whereby said guide frame may swing as aforesaid into different angular positions relative to said boom.

7. A drilling machine as set forth in clahn 5 wherein said swivelly mounted arm is swingable about an axis at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said extendable guide.

8. In a drilling machine, a support, an elevator boom pivotally mounted on said support to swing in vertical planes with respect thereto, a guide frame disposable longitudinally along one side of said boom and mounted thereon to swing therewith and to swing into different angular positions relative thereto, an elongated extendable guide cooperating with and movable endwise longitudinally along said guide frame to vary the position of its outer portion with respect to said boom, a releasable clamp for holding said extendable guide in adjusted position relative to said guide frame, an arm swivelly mounted on the outer portion of said extendable guide with its swivel axis disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of said extendable guide, an adjustable clamp for securing said arm in its difierent angular positions of adjustment about its swivel relative to said extendable guide, an elongated guide frame carried by said arm and adjustable angularly therewith, and a hole drilling tool guided for rectilinear movement longitudinally back and forth along said last mentioned guide frame.

9. A drilling machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said tool guide frame is adjustable angularly with said arm about an axis at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said guide frame.

10. In a drilling machine, a swingable boom, a telescopic guiding and supporting structure swivelly mounted on said swingable boom to swing about an axis at right angles to a line parallel with the pivotal axis of said swingable boom and including telescopically arranged adjustable guiding and supporting elements, one movable endwise longitudinally relative to the other, an adjustable clamp for securing said longitudinally movable element in adjusted position relative to the other element, a second adjustable clamp at the swivel of said guiding and supporting structure for securing the latter in its different positions about its swivel axis relative to said boom, an arm swivelly mounted on said longitudinally adjustable element, a third adjustable clamp for securing said arm in its different adjusted positions relative to said longitudinally adjustable element, an elongated guide frame carried by said arm, anda hole drilling tool guided -ior rectilinear movement longitudinally back and forth along said guide frame.

11. A drilling machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said longitudinally movable element is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of said guiding and supporting struc ture to turn said arm into difierent angular positions and said first adjustable clamp also serves to hold said rotatable element against rotation relative to the other element. 12. In combination, a boom mounted to swing in vertical and horizontal planes, a swivel mounting carried by the outer portion of said boom, a telescopic supporting structure carried by said swivel mounting and including an extendable support adjustable endwise relative to said boom' and a clamp for securing said support in adjusted position, said swivel mounting having its axis disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said telescopic supporting stlucture, an elongated guide frame carried by said extendable support at the outer portion thereof, a hole drilling tool guided for movement back and forth along said guide frame, and an adjustable clamp on said boom and engageable with the rearward portion of said telescopic supporting structure for holding'the latter in a central position extending lengthwise of said boom, said supporting structure having a rearward plate-like projection with which said last mentioned clamp cooperates.

References Cited in the file of this patent Dick Nov. 4, 1952 at i 

